Trusting a Warrior (Loving a Warrior #3) - Melanie Hansen Page 0,42
friends with an ex’s new girlfriend. It’s not petty. Maybe it’s just self-preservation.
* * *
With a sigh, she closed her journal and tossed her pen down. She grabbed her purse and keys, then headed for her car. As she drove, she thought about how earnest Devon seemed, how her face had crumpled when Lani kicked her out.
Had she really cared that much? Or was she just going to call Rhys and tell him, oh well, she’d tried?
Hot, tired and crabby, she thrust Devon from her mind and concentrated on finding a parking spot at the busy medical complex. She made her way into her OB’s office, where she signed in and wedged herself into a chair next to a couple who were whispering and giggling together.
“She’s moving so much today. Feel it?” The woman grabbed the man’s hand and placed it low on her bulging belly.
He gasped. “I feel it!” Bending over, he put his lips near his fingers and crooned, “Hi, baby girl. Mommy and Daddy are so ready to meet you.”
The woman stroked his hair, her eyes glowing with tenderness, and Lani glanced away, her own eyes stinging. The loneliness burning its way through her was a physical ache, this oh-so-painful reminder that the world largely moved by twos.
She looked around the busy waiting room, hoping, praying, to see someone else sitting alone, but she was the only one. What would she do when her time came? A picture formed, of a solitary Uber ride to the hospital in the dead of night. She’d be dropped at the curb, alone, in labor. Who would comfort her, and ease her fears, and celebrate with her when her baby was finally placed in her arms? Who would drive her home, for fuck’s sake?
The memory of Devon’s hopeful smile swam before her eyes, and suddenly, Lani couldn’t help but put herself in her shoes. It had to have been hard, admitting to Lani that Rhys still cared for her. How much courage had it taken for her to show up at Lani’s door and make herself vulnerable like that, not sure of her reception? What would she have done if Lani’d actually accepted her invitation?
“Well, I think we’re about to find out.”
Determination stiffening her spine, Lani fished the phone number from her pocket, and before she could change her mind, she texted, I’m sorry. Lunch sounds good. When?
An almost immediate reply popped up. Yay! How about Friday, my house? That way we can sit and talk as long as we want, no pressure.
Lani hesitated. Was she really gonna do this?
Devon’s not the enemy. We’re not in competition. She’s the woman Rhys loves, and since a part of me will always love him, too, maybe it’s a good idea for her to have a place in my life.
Her thumbs flying, she replied, I’ll be there.
Devon texted her the address along with a string of smiling emojis, and Lani couldn’t help but snort a little at her enthusiasm.
Just then the giggling couple was called back, and the man leapt to his feet and assisted the woman to hers with such tender solicitousness that tears sprang to Lani’s eyes anew. Before the self-pity could dig its claws any deeper, her phone chimed again.
She glanced at it impatiently, her heart giving a giant leap when she saw what it was, a picture of Bosch in full combat gear, along with an accompanying text. Ready to meet me? I’m free tonight if you are.
A grin spread over her face. I’d love to!
Great. My dad’ll pick you up at six?
Snickering at the realization she was having a “conversation” with a dog, she typed, Perfect.
Anticipation buoyed her through her appointment and all the way home, where she took a long, hot shower and then spent an inordinate amount of time on her hair and makeup.
“No, I won’t feel stupid about it,” she lectured herself in the mirror. “I have a date tonight with a great guy, and I deserve to look and feel my best.”
Besides, how many more dates was she likely to have? At thirteen weeks, she could be starting to show soon, and she couldn’t imagine that men would be lining up to get involved with her. After she had the baby, the last thing she’d have time for was a man.
“So, basically, I’m gonna enjoy it while I can,” she said, pointing her mascara wand at her reflection. “No promises, no strings, just two people enjoying each other’s company. Nothing more, nothing less.”